Operating mechanism for derailers, &amp;c.



STANLEY W. HAYES. OF GENEVA, NEW YORK.

OPERATING MECHANISM FOR DERAILERS, 800.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 11, 1906.

Application filed August 29, 1904. Serial No. 222,517.

Derailers, &c., ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to operating mechanism for derailers, switches, and other track appliances, and more particularly concerns devices for operating track appliances which are aided in their movements by forces other than that applied for changing their position, the object of the invention being the production of a device of this kind combining utmost simplicity in construction with the maximum of freedom and reliability in action.

To this end the invention involves a novel combination and disposition of known elements and various other features of novelty and importance, as will be presently described, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof, Figure 1 is-a side elevation of an operating mechanism including the operated member. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the operating-stand; Fig. 3, a side elevation of Fig. 2 with the target. and lampstaif broken away. Fig. 4, a transverse section on line 4 4 of Fig. 2 Fig. 5, a longitudinal section on line 5 5 of Fig. 2; Fig. 6, a separate plan view of the horizontal bellcrank, and Fig. 7 a broken view of the connectinglink or switch-rod.

In Fig. 1 the operated member is a derailer and is composed of a one-piece base 1, secured to the road-bed adjacent the rail R and provided with internal grooves or channels 2, in which suitable pins integral with the movable wheel-derailing member, 3 are mounted to slide, the slideway thus formed being curved in a vertical direction, so that the wheel-derailing member in its traverse toward or from the rail moves first against the opposing force of gravity and subsequently moves with or assisted by such force. This feature of lifting movement with sliding derailers is fully disclosed in a patent, No. 693,544, granted to Hayes and Lutz, and further improvements on the same (indicated in the present drawings) are the subject of copending applications by me but it will be observed that the present invention is not limited to the structural formation or the precise mode of operation of the actuated element.

The wheel-derailing member 3 is provided with a depending lug, by means of which it is connected for operation with the operating stand, (indicated generally by 4,) a connecting-link or switch-rod 5 being interposed between theseparts for this purpose, as shown in Fig. 1.

The stand 4 is in a single piece or casting and comprises a substantially flat base-plate, preferably formed of suitable dimension to bridge the space between two extended ties, to which it is secured, by spikes. A short bracket 6 rises from the central region of the base-plate, and a journal-aperture is formed therein and also in the base-plate to receive the vertical target-staff 7, integral bosses 8 being formed around each aperture, between which the flat elbow of the horizontal bellcrank 9 is located.

The bell-crank is shown in detail in Fig. 6 and comprises a single pi ece,with a shortflat crank-arm 10 and a comparatively longer and round arm 1 1, the latter being extended suffieiently to protrude horizontally beyond the base-plate in the manner of ordinary switchoperating levers, and the adjacent side of the base-plate is swelled outwardly to conform to the arc of movement of lever 11 and is provided at its curved edge with a vertical flange forming a slideway 12 for the said arm. The slideway 12 is a horizontal uninterrupted plane surface terminated at opposite ends by the integral stop-lugs 13, the latter being spaced apart a distance which limits the play of the operatingdever 11 to substantially ninety degrees. crank is an aperture which permits the same to fit snugly over the end of the target-staff, and a set-screw is provided adj aoent the longer arm. In the assembly of the stand the bell-crank is disposed between the bosses 8, and the target-staff is inserted through the registering apertures into the end journal 14 and made fast to the crank and in proper relation thereto by screwing home the setserew. The hooked end of the switch-rod 5 is then dropped into the aperture 15 in the end of the crank-arm 10 and locked therein by the linchpin, as indicated. Adjacent and beneath the means of connection between rod 5 and arm 10 the base-plate is depressed In the flat elbow of the bell- 9 transversely from the rear up to the slideway, as shown in the drawings, allowing clearance for the said connection and also permitting the arrangement of all the operating 5 parts in a very compact and flat manner. It will be observed at this point that the switchrod, crank-arm, and operating-lever move substantially in the same horizontal plane and that by reason of thus balancing the i0 forces on the target-shaft the frictional resistance to movement is reduced to a minimum. The connection of bellcrank to operated member is preferably rigid, and in operation movement of the lever 11 produces a corre- 15 sponding movement of the member, the pins in the latter riding up the inclined grooves in the base. After passing the highest point of its travel the member by its own gravity slides the rest of its traverse, carrying with it the switch-rod and the bell-crank.

In actual practice it will be found that even with operated members of light weight as compared to the bell-crank a very slight impulse, as by a kick from the foot, given to 2 5 the operating-lever in either direction will be suflicient to start the member over its highest point, whereupon gravity impels all parts to the full end of their respective traverses, bringing the operating-lever up against the 0 stop-lug with a snap. It is of course unnecessary to point out that a precise and snappy action in the operation of devices of this character is a matter of considerable importance, as it serves in a great measure to insure relia- 3 5 bility and rapidity. I

The depressed portion of the base-plate is provided with an aperture (shown in Figs. 2 and 4) for facilitating the removal of dirt, snow, or other material which might inter- 4o fere with the movement of the crank-arm.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent, is

and a bracket rising therefrom, a vertical target-shaft journaled in said bracket and plate, and a horizontal bell-crank fast on said shaft between the bracket and plate, one arm of said bell-crank being extended away from the rails and serving as an operating-lever.

2. In an operating-stand, a base-plate and vertical target-shaft j ournaled therein at two separated points, a horizontal bell-crank fast on said shaft between said points and located substantially in the plane of the track-rails, in combination with a track member having the preliminary part of its traverse against the force of gravity, and a subsequent part of its traverse assisted by gravity, said member being connected for operation with said bell crank.

3. In an operating' stand for track members, a base-plate disposed substantially level with the track and a horizontal crank-arm mounted thereon, a connecting switch-rod between said crank and the track member, an operating-lever on said cranks-arm extending in a direction away from the track and moving substantially parallel therewith, the said arm, lever and switch-rod being relatively connected and disposed to move horizontally and substantially in the same plane as the track, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to the specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

STANLEY W. HAYES.

Witnesses:

R. L. BURWELL, S. H..-MANsFIELD. 

